How Can Michael Schiavo Be Allowed To Continue As Terri's Guardian?

I
was interviewing him for an article I'm working on about Terri, and he
readily admitted that up until the last week or so, he hadn't followed
her case very closely. He told me that he had the impression that the
case had become a vehicle for the "right-to-die" movement (which it
certainly is). He also said that given the Schindlers' willingness to
take care of Terri, he couldn't understand why there was even talk of
ending her life. "In the medical community", he told me, "there's
generally a default position to preserve the patient's life in doubtful
cases, especially when there are family members willing to bear the
burden of caring for the patient."

In the course of our
conversation, he made reference to the standard use of MRI and PET
scans to diagnose the extent of brain injuries. He seemed to assume
that these had been done for Terri. I stopped him and told him that
these tests have never been done for her; that Michael had refused
these tests.

There was a moment of dead silence.

"How
can he continue as guardian?", the neurologist said in a tone of utter
incredulity. "He refused a non-invasive test? How can they be debating
a life and death decision without these tests?"

He explained
to me that the use of the MRI and PET scans are considered standard for
diagnosing brain injuries. He told me that he wouldn't dream of making
a diagnosis in a case like Terri's without those tests. I told him that
CT scans had been done, and were the basis for the finding of PVS.

The
doctor snorted, and said, "A head CT is useful in cases of trauma, in
an emergency room situation, but it only gives you a tenth of the
information an MRI does." He said, "people trying to do the right thing
want the best and most complete information available. We don't have
that in Terri's case."

He said, "I can't believe intelligent people are debating this woman's life without these tests."

Doctor, you're not the only one wondering...

So Michael and Judge Greer, just why won't you permit an MRI to be done on Terri?

Posted by Hyscience at February 26, 2005 10:22 PM

I am sooo very glad I don't live in FLordia. This is all so disgusting. Listen Up Drs. This Dr. Knows what he is talking about. Quit being Michael Schiavo puppet. You think you have got all the information... No way. Get real. There is a God ... And you are not following Him... Brain Dead is Brian Dead... She is Not that!!!!
Are YOU?

Posted by: Bonnie at February 28, 2005 8:37 AM

That this is happening is making me wonder: Are we in Hell or are we still in America?

Posted by: Debbie at February 28, 2005 2:16 PM

Who can legally step in and give an order for terri to have an MRI to see what her abilities are, and how can we get that to happen? surely there is someone in authority who can make sure she has these important test to truly determine where she is at with things, so that the "word" of greer is not taken as the all and all judgement on this.
judge greer and michael must be very afraid of the results to not be allowing this(for reasons anyone with any ability to think must wonder). again who can step in please to make sure she has all the necessary test and care she should be receiving. What else could possibly need to be done/information given for someone in a position to do so to intervene in this who is capable of turning this thing around. This is truly scary if you can see what is happening here and all the implications it holds for all of us.

Posted by: Connie at March 1, 2005 2:01 PM

EVERYTIME I HEAR HER SO CALLED HUSBAND DESCRIBE HOW EASY IT IS TO DIE OF HUNGER AND THIRST I WANT TO HAVE HIM GO THE DISTANCE WITH HER. WHY IS HE NOT FASTING TO SHOW US ALL HOW PAINLESS THIS IS. WHAT A LOW LIFE PIECE OF WORK HE IS. SORRY TO THINK SHE PICKED HIM. SOMEONE MUST HOLD HIM AND THAT JUDGE ACCOUNTABLE.